Community Brag Posts

Loved how this entry table/ sofa table turned out! 

I built these benches out of cedar, which added considerable cost to the job.  The total cost for four benches (including stain) was about $240.  I used clear cedar and Sikkens outdoor stain in chocolate brown.  I also modified the plans slightly to create stronger joints, using rabbet and mortise joints and Titebond III (waterproof) glue.  This only slightly changed the dimensions, but I think it will make the benches last for years to come.  It did add some time to the plans, as I think butt joints would've taken only 2-3 hours total before sand and finish. 

This was my first ever DIY project as I wouldnt consider myself a handy man, but I had alot of fun making this table and bench. I modified the design as I wasn't confident in making the necessary cuts for the X but I added a long support underneath the table top so that the top wouldn't sag (hopefully!).  Since completing the table, I've grown more comfortable with my carpentry "skills" and all I want to do on the weekends is build things! I'm sure I'm driving my wife insane!

It took me a lot longer as I had a couple weekends where I could only work on the table and bench for an hour or two but you can definitely do it in a weekend.

Thanks Ana! 

I didn't make any changes , his orginal design was great. Hope these pictures help others. I tried to link to the modified-simple-outdoor-dining-table but wasn't able too.

I made the Modern Chairs with a vertical rounded back for more back support. I love these chairs so much and was such a good experience making rounded cuts.

I needed this to be a little taller, so I added another drawer. Other than that, all the other dimensions were the same. I built it in one weekend, but the finishing took about 5 days (for drying time between coats). I was trying to match a baby bed (expresso) so I stained it dark. I also used plywood on the sides, top and drawer fronts instead of pine boards. It really turned out great and matched the bed perfectly.

I have lived in my house for over 9 years and have never done anything to it until recently. I have made the commitment to move away from plain white walls and boring "plug-n-play" furniture. I discovered Ana's site a few months ago and have been a daily visitor. I made this dining room set with the confidence Ana's instructions gave me and I am forever grateful.

I made a few adjustments to the Parson Chair, making it longer in the back and used 5 degree angle instead of 15 and made the seat wider for our hefty hips and I used all 2x3s for the "chair bones".

The need for a proper workbench in my garage/shop is a must, but. So is space! I already have a fold down workbench I’ve made with ¾ inch pipe & a door, but. I just need something that can handle all my tools. So, I stumbled upon these plans from the Family Handyman & couldn’t find a reason why this wouldn’t work in my shop. It has room for storage, can easily accommodate my tools & most importantly fold up to store. Easy to build too! Make sure you read all the plans first as some of the materials could be pricey, but well worth it. Technically it’s taken 2 months to build this bench, as I operate on a firefighter/teacher’s budget & during the holiday season no doubt. I ordered all the shelf standards & brackets through Amazon, $210.00 for those alone, but they hold so much weight to support your tools I figure it’s worth it. The rest materials (wood, screws) were purchased at Home Depot for around $150.00. The plans called for ¾ inch ply & it was $45.00 per sheet. However they did have a smaller thickness for $22.00 per sheet & was only a 1/32 inch thinner. I plan on topping all my surfaces with some ¼ inch tempered hardboard later on so I knew it would work. That also left me adjusting my screw size to mount my brackets. Due to the reduction in thickness of the plywood all my #8-1 inch screws needed to be adjusted to ¾ inch so to not screw through the ply. I also hit the molding isle to nab some pieces to use as furring strips to use under the shelves before attaching the brackets. This way I can sand each strip to match before mounting to make sure it lined up flat with the center top. One more thing; where it says “drill 1/8 inch hole in brackets make sure you use 1/8 inch pop rivets. I barrowed a pop rivet gun & was handed some rivets as well. Popped two & they had to be trashed because the rivet size turned out to be 5/32. So I stepped up in drill bit size & it all worked out. As I said, I’ll be topping it with some ¼ inch hardboard. I also plan to run it’s own electrical with an outlet on each post. I hope you all enjoy & this can help!

I made this plant stand using the adirondack stool plans. I did not leave spaces between the boards on the top, and I added breadboard ends.

I had my nephew build this outhouse for our new 70 acre lot - no neighbours in sight so I had him put in an acrylic window (with a view).  I left off the deck and had him put the boards tight together so 'critters' didn't get in as easily. I made a sign for above the door - 'Waste Management' for a touch of humour.  The plans were easy to follow and I love it.  Thanks, Ana.

This design was straight forward and easy to modify - made the bench deeper and shorter, and added a shelf.

We finally built the #1 Project on my to do list. Took about 3 Days total with finishing and all. Love it so much, defintately my fave project to date! Have to do nightstands next!

I modified the plans slightly to go taller so it could fit a standard propane tank. I also added a hinged lid based on an image I found on Pinterest that did something very similar. I still need to sand and stain it next weekend.

Like others, I had a little trouble keeping the fence planks from splitting when screwing them to the 2x2 legs, since there was about an 1/8” gap between. I tried to find some scrap to fill in the gap and didn’t overtighten the screws. The lid was made entirely of 1x3”.